– UFC PULLS LIDDELL FROM APPEARANCE AT LOCAL MMA SHOW

The UFC has pulled Chuck Liddell from a personal appearance at a local MMA show in Jacksonville, Florida, according to a report in the Florida Times-Union.

A report in the Times-Union by reporter Bart Hubbuch says that Liddell had agreed to be the host or “master of ceremonies” for the Ultimate Warrior Challenge event in Jacksonville and was doing so on a volunteer basis. However, the UFC pulled Liddell from the event due to concerns that the event would be mistaken for a UFC event as a result of local advertisements which said that “top UFC pros” would be making appearances at the event.

Local promoter S. Marcello Foran said, “They’re very, very touchy at the UFC. They’re very protective of what they’ve built, and Chuck is the crown jewel. I basically have to do what they tell me to do.”

According to the Florida Times-Union, the UFC initially threatened to sue the local promoters unless the event was cancelled altogether. Foran said, “Once I gave the UFC confidence that there would be no more confusion about anything, they gave me the OK but said they couldn’t allow Chuck to be [here],” Foran said.